Republican Bill Seeks Major Overhaul of H-2A Visas
Summary
House Republicans introduced a bill to expand the H-2A visa program, which lets farmers hire foreign workers for agricultural jobs. The bill aims to allow more year-round hiring for farms like dairies and livestock producers, addressing labor shortages in farming.Key Facts
- The bill is called the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act and was introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.
- The current H-2A program allows temporary or seasonal farmworker visas; the bill would extend work contracts up to 350 days.
- It would let more year-round farm operations, such as dairy and livestock farms, use H-2A workers.
- The bill proposes changes to wage rules and simplifying how farmers hire foreign workers.
- Labor Department certifications for H-2A workers could be valid for up to three years under the new rules.
- Employers could stagger worker entry and exit to match labor needs during contracts.
- Some undocumented farmworkers already in the U.S. may gain a limited way to obtain H-2A status, even if they had prior immigration violations.
- The bill has bipartisan support, including 45 Republicans and four Democrats, mostly from farming states.
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